Robert W. Roberts

Robert William "Bill" Roberts, 83, born in Gulfport, MS passed away peacefully at home in Aurora, CO on Monday, the 16th of March, 2020, from complications from Alzheimer's, which he had suffered from for several years.
Bill was born on June 2, 1936. He was the son of Bob Richard Roberts and Anne Virginia Roberts (Bowden). He was preceded in death by his parents from Gulfport, MS, and his brother, Richard Raymond Roberts, from Everett, WA.
Bill's early years were in Gulfport, MS. At a young age he moved to Midland/Odesa, TX. He graduated from Midland High School in 1956. In 1965 he met Sharon in Midland, TX. It was love at first sight, they were married November 1965. One of their dearest friends and a very wise lady, Mrs. Dishman said "Bill is a keeper" to Sharon. They have been together ever since. During his working years, he worked for the Baker Company, a furniture and business machine store. This is where he learned to repair calculators and typewriters. In 1966, Bill & Sharon moved to Lakewood, CO and Bill began working for Victor Business Machines. In 1977, he purchased a small independent office machine store in Cheyenne, WY where he resided until 1982. Bill was a founding member of his church, St. Andrews Anglican Church in Cheyenne. When the church was first establishing, he hosted Sunday service at his home, as the membership grew, he hosted Sunday services at the office machine store. In 1982 he moved to Fort Collins, CO to work for Kodak until his retirement in 1998. After his retirement, he needed to stay busy so he mowed the greenbelt for the HOA where they lived. In 2001, he moved to Aurora, CO to be closer to his children and grandson. At this time, he became "the greatest Grandpa ever" or Mr. Bill to all of the neighbor children and he was the unofficial assistant coach to all of his grandson's sporting activities.
Bill was loved by many, had a kind and gentle spirit. He had a sweet smile for everyone, an infectious laugh and a humorous joke. Bill's grandson Robert (aka R²) occupied much of Bill's time with baseball, roller hockey or supervising car repairs in the garage. Bill was a good listener and a mentor, he had a recent visit from a special person, Mike Schreiner. He attended many sporting events with neighbor Brad Baldwin. They always had a great time together, Brad and his family were always looking after Bill. He enjoyed watching the Rockies, the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos and old western movies, "Horse Operas" according to Bill.
He also enjoyed fishing and visiting the Colorado mountains. Many summers included camping trips with Sharon's brother & sister; taking the old station wagon up 'the old school road', setting up the camper in the rain. Fishing trips to Saratoga with Bill Bartlett, Billy Bartlett; ice fishing trips to Granby with Warren Bartlett; fishing off the bank at Uncle Warren's cabin at Shadow Mountain; and even though boats were not always his friend, he loved going out on the ocean, fishing too. He loved Estes Park and the drive over Trail Ridge Road to Grand Lake. One of his first visits to Rocky Mountain National Park, he was hanging out the window of the car while taking pictures. Maxine Bartlett was sure he was going to fall out the window.
Bill was Uncle Bill and a Great Uncle Bill to all of Sharon's nieces & nephews. He would spend holidays and birthday parties with the kids, attend school plays & musicals, and loved the little girl's dance recitals. He played "the monster" running around the sofa, through the house, hiding and popping around a corner with a "Grrrrr" to have the kids holler and go running away from him, they were laughing all the way. Bill was also very close with Sharon's aunts, uncles & cousins. Many happy holidays, celebrations and dinners were had with family.
Bill enjoyed traveling. He and Robert made an annual trip to Arizona for the Colorado Rockies Spring Training. They always said "what happens at training, stays at training". No women were allowed! His travel included trips to visit Lori in Sydney, London & Paris and the Hawaiian Islands. He and Lori took a 2 week vacation traveling the east coast to NY, Connecticut, Boston, Vermont, Washington DC, Philadelphia. He had a special vacation with Cyndi & Robert to Moab, Utah, he talked about these memories all the time. Family vacations included multiple trips to California including Disneyland, Florida for a visit to Disneyworld, Bahamas and St. John. He loved going to beaches and listening to the waves hitting the shore. His Grandson Robert was along for all the vacations, never apart.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Sharon Maxine Roberts, daughters, Lori Maxine, Cynthia Anne and Robbi Lee Roberts of Aurora, CO, his grandson Robert James Roberts and great grandson Remington James Roberts of Aurora, CO, his sister Marianne Majid (Faiq) of Calgary, Canada; his nephews, Kevin Roberts (Michelle) their children Samantha, Trenton & Kayla of Spokane, WA and Jason Majid (Angela) their children Max and Kali of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
A Celebration of his life will be held at a future date, most likely around Bill's birthday in June.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to one of the following which were Bill's favorite interests:
• Colorado Rockies Baseball Club Foundation – Making a difference in the lives of young people across the Rocky Mountain Region (mlb.com)
• The Fisher House Foundation – Helping Military Families (Fisherhouse.org)
As one friend shared with us "We will weep for the loss, laugh with the memories and raise a glass to the legacy". Bill will be remembered as a good man and remembered saying "Let's Play Ball" and "Be Sweet".